The Times of India 12.10.2010
MCD says job well done, it’s time to take a break
NEW DELHI: This is surely going to perk up civic body employees, who, if their bosses are to be believed, have gone beyond their call of duty to make the Games a grand affair. In a rare break from the sarkari culture, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is contemplating rewarding its `overworked’ workforce.
“We will soon hold a meeting to decide the perks to be given to officials who have worked very hard during the Games. We might give them promotions for the good show. While this may take time, to keep the spirits soaring now we have requested the organising committee to issue complimentary passes for families of officials who have worked hard for the Games,” said leader of House Subhash Arya.
As the Games draws to a close, MCD is also asking its officials not working in the Village “to take it easy” after the closing ceremony. According to MCD, since some officials will continue to be `on duty’ in the Games Village till October 18, they cannot be given off. But those officials who are not working in the Village, have been asked to take rest, according to Arya.
Even councillors from Congress are all for rewarding MCD officials. “Our safai karamcharis worked really hard to make the Games a success. I will talk to the MCD commissioner to see whether we can give them a month’s extra pay or give them extra holidays after the Games,” said Leader of opposition JK Sharma.
MCD and NDMC employees were roped in to clean up Games Village initially and were later asked to take over cleaning operations of all Games venues. Senior officials from both agencies are supervising various works in the Games venues.
Said an official: “After the closing ceremony, the next day is a restricted holiday on account of Durga Ashtami and then the weekend starts. So some of us can take it easy till October 18.” According to officials, they now deserve a break after daily field duties. He added: “With the festive season on, we will have to be on our feet to finish sanitation and other routine work. So all we want is a break before getting back to the official grind.”
In fact, the first cabinet meeting after the opening ceremony last week saw the ministers discussing plans to take a `break’ after the Games. The successful opening ceremony prompted informal discussions on holidays in the meeting.
